April 28, 2008: We are broken...

Broken Things

"By reason of breakings they purify themselves" (Job 41:25).

God uses most for His glory those people and things which are most perfectly broken. The sacrifices He accepts are broken and contrite hearts. It was the breaking down of Jacob's natural strength at Peniel that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual power. It was breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb, by the stroke of Moses' rod that let out the cool waters to thirsty people.
It was when the 300 elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, that the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support.

It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court, that she obtained favor to rescue her people from death. It was when Jesus took the five loaves and broke them, that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the house. It was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear, that His inner life was poured out, like a crystal ocean, for thirsty sinners to drink and live.
It is when a beautiful grain of corn is broken up in the earth by DEATH, that its inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. And thus, on and on, through all history, and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spirituallife, God must have BROKEN THINGS.

Those who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-will, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and broken in orldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and broken ofttimes in health; those who are despised and seem utterly forlorn and helpless, the Holy Ghost is seizing upon, and using for God's glory. "The lame take the prey,"Isaiah tells us.
O break my heart; but break it as a fieldIs by the plough up-broken for the corn;O break it as the buds, by green leaf seated,Are, to unloose the golden blossom, torn;Love would I offer unto Love's great Master,Set free the odor, break the alabaster.
O break my heart; break it victorious God,That life's eternal well may flash abroad;O let it break as when the captive trees,Breaking cold bonds, regain their liberties;And as thought's sacred grove to life is springing,Be joys, like birds, their hope, Thy victory singing. --Thomas Toke Bunch

Rachel Elizabeth Fulenwider

Obituary

WHITEWRIGHT - Rachel Elizabeth Fulenwider, 15 of Whitewright, went to dwell in the house of the Lord on Monday, April 28, 2008. She was born Oct. 24, 1992 at Denison to Chris Fulenwider and Georgia Griffith Fulenwider.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2008 at First Baptist Church, Whitewright. Officiating the service will be Rev. Neale Oliver, Rev. Paul Brand and Rev. Leon Veazey. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Whitewright. A visitation will be held from 6 -8 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at the First Baptist Church, Whitewright.
Pallbearers will be Jefferson Griffith, Kenny Wall, Roger Harmon, Steve Harris, Jackie Jester and Johnny Claborn and honorary pallbearers, Andrew Fulenwider and Drew Thorpe.
She is survived by parents, Chris and Georgia Fulenwider of Whitewright; brother, Andrew Fulenwider of Ft. Bragg, N.C.; grandparents, Bill and Carol Fulenwider of Pagosa Springs, Colo.; grandparents, Harold and Marianne Griffith of Fort Worth; grandmother, Frances Griffith of Lubbock; great-grandmother, Esther Reatherford of Luella; great-grandfather, Ben Johnson of Midland; great-grandfather, Fred Stewart of Hickory, N.C.; aunt and uncle, Paul and Cindy Gilliland of Hondo; uncle, Jefferson "Boo" Griffith of Denton; aunt, Carrie Griffith of Fort Worth; many great aunts and uncles, and many cousins.
Rachel attended Whitewright High School and was a cheerleader and active in track, volleyball and softball. She looked forward to starting drill team in the fall. She was full of love for family and friends. She had a witty sense of humor, enjoyed music, baking cookies, reading, shopping and eating Sushi. She was beautiful, respected, smart and loving. Rachel was a typical teenager who once wrote she appreciated all the benefits of the latest technology including her computer, phone and hair straightener.
Among her writings she included "You may not have a lot, but the important thing is to be thankful... Be thankful for who you have not necessarily what you have." Most of all she loved God.
Rachel was a cherished daughter, loving sister and faithful friend. She touched many lives and will be greatly missed. We love you sissy, busybus, punkin, cricket, Ray, Fulenwider, Lizzy, princess...

A favorite scripture found highlighted in her Bible:
"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and seek him in his temple."
Psalm 27: 4

Sleep sweet baby girl, we love you.
Contributions may be made to the family through First Baptist Church, Whitewright.
Arrangements are with Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow's Earnheart Funeral Home, Whitewright. An online registry may be signed at www.tjmfuneral.com.
Published in The Herald Democrat from 5/1/2008 - 5/2/2008.